The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Fiifi Kwetey has justified the shake-up in the party’s leadership in parliament despite criticisms from its own members.
Following the removal of Hon Haruna Iddrisu as Minority Leader, many Ghanaians including members of the party, have described the news as shocking, because they claim the party failed to broadly consult for a consensus to be reached, accusing the leadership of taking a unilateral decision.
Nevertheless, while speaking in an interview Mr Fiifi Kwetey discredited such assertions, emphasizing that those who mattered were contacted for the necessary inputs.
“This decision was taken after wide consultation. If you look at the apex leadership of the party, that consultation was done. In terms of parliamentary, the group that is widely consulted, that consultation was done.
“What needed to be done about this reshuffling was done and the people duly consulted. All the key leaders have been consulted. The former President, Mahama was consulted and his views duly reflected. The new and old leaders were informed and consulted.”
Fiifi Kwetey
Several NDC Members of Parliament including MP for Bolgatanga East, Dominic Ayine and Tamale Central MP, Murtala Muhammed have described the leadership changes as undemocratic and deeply worrying since no consultations were held with the Minority caucus. Former Majority Leader, Mr. Cletus Avoka, also called on the party to immediately reverse the decision, describing it as unpopular and unfortunate.
Additionally, some NDC party supporters in Tamale South have given the party a 24-hour ultimatum to reverse the decision or face their wrath. But Fifi Kwetey in response noted that the decision has been taken and will not be reversed. He made known that the party will proceed with the leadership changes when Parliament resumes in February.
“The leadership of the party at the highest level has taken a decision and that is just what it is. You cannot set up a precedent where decisions by the leadership of the party are now going to be an issue of the caucus. The leadership of the party in Parliament is appointed by the leadership of the party. It is not something that is done by the caucus of the party.”
Fiifi Kwetey
The General Secretary divulged that the party only had to inform Hon Haruna Iddrisu of the decision and not consult him on his removal. Mr Kwetey made known that the regional balance of swing regions and the economic issues ahead of the 2024 election, were highly factored in the decision.
“It is an integral part of the process of preparing ourselves for the next general elections. A process of reorganization has been ongoing. We are looking at having the process continue ahead of the parliamentary and presidential primaries. We believe that as part of the process, the next election is going to revolve around matters of the economy.
“It’s going to be an economic battle and as part of the process, with consultation with leadership at the highest level, we thought that involves how best to even change the parliamentary leadership and have a leader whose domain and forte has to do with the economy to be able to lead that whole process. So this is a very important consideration.”
Fiifi Kwetey
Background
Dr. Dominic Ayine, a former Deputy Attorney General and National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga East, slamed party officers at the national level for the shake-up in their parliamentary leadership.
The lawmaker disclosed that the National Democratic Congress leadership failed to consult its members of Parliament prior to the changes.
The legislator took strong exceptions to the new development, describing it as one that is not only deeply worrying but also undemocratic.
“I am deeply worried that the party at Adabraka can just send a letter to the Speaker and say that these are the new leaders of the party, and we have to take it hook, line and sinker. It is totally unacceptable, it is totally undemocratic and does not conform to the principles regarding the running of the affairs of our party system.”
Dr Ayine
READ ALSO: NDC’s Argument For The Reshuffle Is Unfortunate – Cletus Avoka
